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‘Wild Woman’ finds home in Juneau

Top-ranked female survivalist lives off land in Juneau

Survivalist Kellie Nightlinger lays out seaweed to dry during a walk in early June. Nightlinger has been voted the top female survival expert in the world, and has chosen Alaska as her home for the past five years. (Photo by Alex McCarthy/Juneau Empire)

Survivalist Kellie Nightlinger looks up at trees while walking on Juneau’s Rainforest Trail. Nightlinger has been voted the top female survival expert in the world, and has chosen Alaska as her home for the past five years. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

There’s a fine line between a plant causing a blood infection and a plant making a healthy snack, and Kellie Nightlinger knows the difference.

As she walked on a North Douglas beach in early June, she pointed out a large, leafy plant near the beach. This plant, called cow parsnip, sprouts small fibers on sunny days that can cause serious problems if they come in contact with human skin.

These fibers make a person’s skin photosensitive to light, Nightlinger explained, often resulting in sunburn or a rash that looks like a birthmark. For some people, it can lead to open sores which can in turn lead to skin or blood infections.

“But earlier in the spring when it first comes up, it’s edible,” Nightlinger said, “so I like to steam it or sautée it, maybe with coconut oil.”